Oliver Sunday Akanite (14 April 1947 – 20 June 2008), widely celebrated by his stage name Oliver De Coque, was a Nigerian Igbo highlife musician, composer, and guitarist. Hailing from Ezinifite, Anambra State, he became one of Africa's most prolific recording artists over a career spanning four decades. He began playing music at a young age, starting with Ekpili music around age 17, and was taught guitar by a Congolese guitarist named Piccolo who resided in Nigeria. De Coque was also an apprentice to juju musicians Sunny Agaga and Jacob Oluwale, gaining local recognition by his teenage years. His unique stage name, "Oliver De Coque," originated from a nickname, "Oliver De Ka Okwe" ("Oliver, the master of the game"), given to him due to his skill in playing the board game okwe (draft). He later adapted it to its current form.
De Coque’s music was distinguished by his "ogene" style, a captivating fusion of modern highlife with traditional Igbo harmonies and a noticeable influence from Congolese rhythmic guitar melodies, a style he helped pioneer. He gained international attention after performing in London in 1973 and his distinct guitar work was featured on Prince Nico Mbarga's massive 1977 album, Sweet Mother. His own prolific discography includes an impressive total of 93 albums, beginning with his debut, Messiah Messiah, released in 1977. Notable singles included "Identity," "People's Club of Nigeria," and "Biri Ka Mbiri." His consistency and mastery of his craft led to him being crowned 'The King of Highlife' of Africa by the Alaafin of Oyo, Lamidi Adeyemi III, in 1994, the same year he was awarded an honorary degree in music from the University of New Orleans.
Beyond his solo work, Oliver De Coque often performed with his band, the Expo '76 Ogene Sound Super of Africa, and frequently collaborated with the Igede International Band, led by his brother, Eugene. He was a family man with twelve children and was married to four wives, with some of his sons, including Safin De Coque (Darlington Akanite), Edu De Coque (Chinedu Akanite), and Solar De Coque, also becoming musicians. Oliver De Coque passed away on June 20, 2008, at the age of 61, following a sudden cardiac arrest. He leaves behind a profound musical legacy, which was posthumously recognized by a Google Doodle on what would have been his 74th birthday in 2021.